Refurbished laptops are often less expensive than their brand new counterparts, so many people consider them as an option when buying a new laptop.
However, it’s a good idea, before purchasing, to look into just what goes into a refurbished laptop, how long it will last, and what the pros and cons of this type of laptop are.
What is a refurbished laptop?
When people think about refurbished items, such as refurbished laptops, they often think of used items.
It’s true that many refurbished laptops were previously used, but a refurbished item and a used item aren’t quite the same.
Used items haven’t been repaired the way a refurbished item is.
Refurbished laptops are usually laptops that failed an inspection or were returned because something wasn’t working correctly.
When a company receives a laptop to refurbish, they fix anything that’s wrong with the laptop.
If a component isn’t working correctly or it’s out of date, the piece is usually replaced with a new item.
The laptop is tested thoroughly to make sure that everything works exactly as it should and to ensure that the laptop works in the same way a new computer would.
Sometimes a refurbished laptop is sold as refurbished but it’s actually brand new.
This happens if a customer has canceled an order or the item was returned before the box was ever opened.
These items can’t be sold as new, even though they technically are, so they’re labeled as refurbished.
How long do refurbished laptops last?
In general, because there’s so much care taken when refurbishing a laptop, and because any faults in the laptop are fixed and old or broken parts are replaced with new ones, refurbished laptops are considered to be as good as a new one.
Some people even consider refurbished laptops to be better than new laptops because they’ve gone through such rigorous inspections.
All of this means that a refurbished laptop will almost always last as long as a brand new laptop.
Both a refurbished laptop and a brand new laptop should give average users, who don’t put too much strain on the laptop’s system, between 3 to 5 years of use.
Many laptops, new or refurbished, can last as long as seven years, as long as they’re well taken care of.
Pros of Refurbished Laptops
One of the biggest pros to purchasing a refurbished laptop is that the cost of a refurbished item is usually much less than a brand new item.
Refurbished laptops can be anywhere from 25% to 40% less expensive than a brand new laptop.
Because refurbished laptops are almost always put through very rigorous testing to ensure that they’re performing at their peak, buying a refurbished laptop nearly guarantees a quality item that works perfectly.
Most refurbishers also offer a good warranty on their product.
The laptop’s original warranty might still be in place, depending on how old it is, and reputable refurbishing companies generally offer a one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
Finally, purchasing a refurbished laptop is a great environmental choice.
Not only does a refurbished laptop cost less, but buying a refurbished item ensures that that item isn’t ending up in a landfill.
Refurbishing items is a great recycling option.
Refurbished laptops should last between 3-5 years.
Cons of Refurbished Laptops
Although buying a refurbished laptop has very few cons, there can be a few issues that you wouldn’t encounter if you purchase a new laptop.
Refurbished laptops can sometimes have cosmetic issues, such as scratches.
Sometimes, these cosmetic issues are what caused the laptop to be returned in the first place.
Some refurbishers fix these cosmetic issues, but some prefer to keep the cost of a refurbished laptop as low as possible.
You can always ask about or check for any scratches or dings before buying the laptop.
You’ll also want to check the hinges of the laptop before buying. Again, reputable refurbishers will fix hinge issues before reselling the laptop, but it’s always a good idea to check, especially on older laptops that have gotten daily use.
It’s also very important to find a reputable refurbisher with good ratings and user reviews before you commit to buying a refurbished product.
In order to keep costs down and reuse items they already have, some refurbishing companies will use replacement products that weren’t originally made or designed for the particular laptop brand or model you’re purchasing.
This isn’t always a bad thing, as many pieces will work just fine when swapped into different computers.
However, if you want to purchase a laptop that’s almost exactly like a new laptop of the same brand and model, you may want to check the specifications for the new model and make sure that everything included in your refurbished model matches.
The last con to buying a refurbished laptop is that more older models are refurbished than newer models, so your selection of new laptop models might be a bit limited.